Lebanese police used tear gas and water cannon against Hizbullah followers who were protesting against a visit by an American official to Beirut. According to press reportsd, nearly 300 protestors participated in the march which at one point was forced back by water cannon when demonstrators tried to tear down a barrier set up some 50 metres from the building where US Middle East envoy David Welch was due for a meeting, AFP reported.
Welch had earlier vowed to protect Lebanon's sovereignty. "We will not support any efforts, any deals or any promises that would trade away the sovereignty of Lebanon in return for something called 'stability' which is in reality foreign interference," Welch said after meeting Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir.
"I reaffirmed to (Sfeir) the continuity of the commitment of the United States to Lebanon and the people of Lebanon," Welch said. "We, the American people and the American administration, stand solidly with the people of Lebanon."
